In ancient Anglo-SaxonEngland, the ancestors of the Bigelow surname lived near hills of barley. The surname Bigelow was also often derived from residence near one of the various settlements called Baguley, a name that originally means ram's woodland.

Bigelow Early Origins

Bigelow Spelling Variations

Bigelow Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Bigelow are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Bigelow include: Bigelow, Biggelow, Bigelowe and others.

Bigelow Early History

Bigelow Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bigelow research. Another 252 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1739, 1767, 1790, and 1821 are included under the topic Early Bigelow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bigelow Early Notables (pre 1700)

Bigelow Early Notables (pre 1700)

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bigelow Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North Ameri ca. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Bigelow or a variant listed above:

Bigelow Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Bigelow, who landed in Massachusetts in 1630

John Bigelow who settled in New England in 1620. He later moved to Watertown in 1637

Bigelow Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Colonel Timothy Bigelow was in the Massachusetts Line Regiment in the Revolutionary War

Bigelow Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Bigelow settled in Barnstable in Massachusetts in 1820

Edward M Bigelow, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1843

Crozier, William Armstrong Edition. Crozier's General Armory A Registry of American Families Entitled to Coat Armor. New York: Fox, Duffield, 1904. Print.

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The Bigelow Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Bigelow Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.